Glossary

Production - The concept of the film is developed from idea, to script, to filming to editing.

Marketing - Publicity for the film in all countries of release to create interest/hype in the lead up to the theatrical release.

Distribution - Supplying the product/film to cinemas in hardware/software.

Exhibition - The showing of the film to audiences.  


Denotation - Applies to a word's literal meaning - the "dictionary definition". For instance, a dictionary definition of 'snake' is "any of numerous limbless, scaly, elongate reptiles of the suborder Serpentes, comprising venomous and nonvenomous species inhabiting tropical and temperate areas".


Connotation - Indicates the associations or emotional suggestions which link to a particular word. The word 'snake' connotes evil or danger.     


High Production Values - Movies which have a high budget usually have high production values as the resources required have greater investment. "Production values" apply to the film's quality. 

Blockbuster - A film that has an appeal which is broad and popular and has great financial achievement. 

Above-the-line Costs - These are the production costs before a movie has been made. For instance, money is given to the cast members, directors, producers, and screenwriters.  

Below-the-line Costs - These are the physical production costs of the movie where payment is made for the crew, use of locations, photography, etc.  

Media Conglomerate - An extremely large worldwide business owning a large branch of the mass media market in news, publishing books, movies, television, websites, etc.

Subsidiaries - Corporations which are controlled by a bigger and better corporation. For example, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. is a subsidiary of Time Warner. 

Cross-media Convergence and Synergy - The promotion and sale of a product (and all its versions) throughout the various subsidiaries of a media conglomerate. E.g. films, soundtracks, video games. Disney has used cross-media convergence and synergy.

Production Technologies - The variety of digital and analogue technology used to film.

Technological Convergence - The process where new technology is moving towards single platforms delivering multiple media outputs that can be used to reach audiences. E.g. PlayStation 3.

Vertical Integration - The combination in one company of two or more stages of production normally operated by separate companies.

Synergy Marketing - The combination of two separate media texts or products that share similar characteristics so that one helps market the other.

Word-of-mouth Advertising - An informal way in which media products become known by audiences.

Above-the-line Marketing - An advertising technique using specific channels to promote products and services. This strategy makes use of traditional media like newspapers, magazines, radio and television and a commission or fee is payable to the advertising agency on behalf of its clients. 

Below-the-line Marketing - Any promotional activity that does not involve paid use of the media, i.e. in other words it is not media advertising. For example, "below the line" promotional activities include the use of various "point of sale" or in-store sales promotions, the production and use of promotional literature and leaflets, or the attendance at trade exhibitions, shows or events. Example: Levi's use of outdoor promotional activities, videos, plus window and in-store promotions.  

Merchandising - The activity of promoting the sale of goods, esp. by their presentation in retail outlets.  

Viral Marketing - Creating a buzz so that users spread the information for you via word-of-mouth, email, or links on Blogs or websites.

DSN (Digital Screen Network) - Refers to the use of digital technology to capture, distribute, and project motion pictures. A movie can be distributed via hard drives, optical disks (such as DVDs and Blu-ray Discs) or satellite and projected using a digital projector instead of a conventional film projector. Digital cinema is distinct from high-definition television and, in particular, is not dependent on using television or high-definition video standards, aspect ratios, or frame rates.

HD (High Definition) - Refers to an increase in display or visual resolution, e.g. viewing films from a Blu-ray disc. 

Blu-ray - A high resolution video optical disc format.

Digital Distribution - The delivery of media content such as audio, video, software and video games without the use of physical media usually over online delivery mediums, such as the Internet. Digital distribution avoids conventional physical distribution methods, such as paper or DVDs.  

35mm Reels - It is traditional to discuss the length of theatrical motion pictures in terms of "reels." The standard length of a 35mm motion picture reel is 1,000 feet (300m). This length runs approximately 11 minutes at sound speed (24 frames per second) and slightly longer at silent movie speed (which may vary from approximately 16 to 22 frames per second). Most films have visible cues which mark the end of the reel. This allows projectionists running reel-to-reel to change-over to the next reel on the other projector.

Independent Cinema - A term used to describe films made outside the traditional studio system or made by independent producers (e.g., David O. Selznick, Samuel Goldwyn, Walter Wanger) within it. Contemporary independent cinema is generally independently financed; that is, films are made without funding from (and prior to having a contract with) a major distributor.

Mainstream Cinema - Commercial films that are made by major entertainment studios or companies that are owned by international media conglomerates. Because of better financing, these films can afford more expensive actors, wide releases or limited releases, and are sold at popular retail stores. This has become known as the studio system.   

Piracy - Copyright violation of audio-visual works - when unauthorised copies of films, etc, are made.

Niche Audience - The subset of the market on which a specific product is focusing; therefore the market niche defines the specific product features aimed at satisfying specific market needs, as well as the price range, production quality, and the demographics that is intended to impact.  

CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) - The application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media. The visual scenes may be either dynamic or motionless. 

Proliferation - Rapid increase in numbers.